The Traderszone Network

Published in TZ Latest News 4 June, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff

Weak U.S. productivity, rising labor costs stir inflation concern

U.S. nonfarm productivity fell more sharply than initially thought in the first quarter, leading to a jump in labor-related production costs, a trend that could ignite inflation if sustained. Other data on Thursday showed the labor market tightening, with first-time applications for unemployment aid falling last week and the number of people on benefit rolls hitting the lowest level since 2000. The reports likely keep the Federal Reserve on track to raise interest rates later this year.